Trace Evidence Symposium

National Institute of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Laboratory Division

Event Contact

Contact Name:

National Institute of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Laboratory Division

Contact Phone:

202-307-2942

Contact Website:

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/trace-evidence-symposium/

Description:

The nature of trace, or "transfer," evidence is highly variable, and trace evidence can be found at nearly every crime or accident scene. Trace evidence is considered one of the most diverse of the forensic disciplines because it can include the analysis of hair, fiber, paint, glass, dirt/dust, botanical material, arson/fire debris, explosives and impression evidence. While trace evidence is rarely the only evidence available in an investigation, identifying the origin of foreign material found at a crime scene and linking such material with material from different locations can be a powerful evidentiary finding.

Recognizing the important impact that trace evidence has on criminal investigations and, ultimately, on our justice system, the National Institute of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Laboratory Division are co-sponsoring a Trace Evidence Symposium. The theme of the 2011 Symposium is "Science, Significance and Impact."

This site is supported by Grant/ Cooperative Agreement No. 1UF2CE002359-02 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.